Why Does Braking Make My Car Shake?

While every part of your vehicle is essential for proper operation, your brakes are most certainly among the most vital. If you ever notice strange behavior whenever you use your brakes, such as shaking, Sun Auto Service recommends that you have the problem addressed as soon as possible by one of our well-experienced technicians.

The Root of the Issue

In terms of what’s going on when you feel shaking whenever you brake, the problem can range anywhere from your motor mount or suspension to your brake rotors. If the shaking is restricted to just your steering wheel, however, the problem is likely your brake rotors. This component of your vehicle is made to withstand an abundance of use and friction, but after some time your rotors will wear down.

Remedying the Situation

If a mechanic is able to determine that it is your brake rotors that are causing your car to shake whenever you brake, you may just simply need to repair the rotors by having them resurfaced. That being said, it’s entirely possible that your rotors are beyond repair and need to be replaced. When it comes to any type of issue with your vehicle, no matter how minor it might seem, it’s always best to take it to an auto service center as soon as possible to let a Sun Auto Service expert technician take a careful examination. Knowing what’s going on with your vehicle allows you to know what kind of repair or replacement to expect and how much you’re likely to spend.

Additional Reasons for Shaking

If it’s not the brake rotors, suspension or motor mount making your car shake, it could be that your tires are out of balance, which can also cause the steering wheel to shake. With unbalanced tires, the steering wheel commonly starts shaking once you hit 55 mph, gets worse around 60 and smooths out when you go even faster.

Yet another reason is sticking brake calipers. This specific problem kicks in when you hit 45 mph. Unlike unbalanced tires, shaking due to sticking brake calipers only gets worse the faster you go. Even worse is you’ll likely notice a pungent burning smell when you stop.

Drivers often experience vibrations or wobbling under 5 mph, this is known as a “slow speed vibration.” This is indicative of a tire separation or bubble, which is also a very serious issue and should be addressed immediately.

Even if your car doesn’t shake whenever you brake, it’s still a good idea to bring your vehicle to a professional mechanic for regular maintenance. Sun Auto Service is here to take the absolute best care of you and your vehicle, and we’d love to see you if it’s been a while since your vehicle has had some expert servicing.